KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Members of the Chiefs reported Monday for the first day of the offseason workout program, a non-mandatory portion of the offseason.
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines during the first quarter of the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
While coach Andy Reid wouldn’t comment on the exact number of players present, he appeared happy to have them back at the team’s training facility.
“This obviously is a fun day, one of the better days of the year when we can get everybody back together and move on to the 2014 season,” Reid told reporters during Monday’s media session. “This is Day One of doing that as a team.
“These are obviously not mandatory camps here that we’re in a practice, or whatever you want to look at them as. This is phase one of the non-mandatory workouts and really that’s what it consists of.”
When it comes to rules during the first phase, players are allowed to lift weights and workout with strength and conditioning coaches.
The quarterbacks and wide receivers are also allowed to throw without coaches, and the only coaching that will occur between the staff and players will come in the classroom, Reid said.
“Those are the rules that you’re given for Phase One,” Reid said. “Phase Two is a little bit different, but for a couple of weeks here we’re going to be in phase one. The bulk of the work will take place with (strength and conditioning coach) Barry (Rubin) in the weight room and doing Barry’s running activities.”
And for the players Reid ran into Monday morning, he came away with an appreciation of their enthusiasm.
“The guys seem to have great energy this morning, which is exciting,” Reid said. “You like to see guys that are excited to get back to work and doing what they love to do and we’ve got a room full of those guys.”
Injury updates
Reid announced left tackle Eric Fisher had offseason shoulder surgery and a sports hernia procedure.
“He’s doing very well,” Reid said. “He’s been here the whole offseason rehabbing and has made quite a bit of progress.
“He’s doing all of his lower body work and has been rehabbing the shoulder and doing what he can with that part of it. (Chiefs head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) and Barry (Rubin) are working close with him on that. Again, progress is being made.”
The Chiefs’ first full practice as a team arrives May 27. While no timetable was offered for Fisher’s return, the second-year pro said he’ll be ready when given clearance.
“When they tell me I’m cleared, I’ll be out there doing my thing,” he said. “But until then, I’m in here every day. I’m working out again.”
Fisher said his playing weight in 2013 was between 295 to 300 pounds. His goal this season is to weigh between 310 to 315 pounds as he transitions from right tackle to his natural left tackle position.
Meanwhile, Reid said running back Knile Davis did not require surgery for his broken leg.
Reid said defensive back Sanders Commings, who landed on injured reserve his rookie season with a shoulder injury, is “coming off a January surgery” and has “been cleared for all of the offseason program.” Reid adds Commings is “doing well.”
Reid said tight end Travis Kelce, who returns from microfracture knee surgery, is “progressing well and doing everything.”
Also doing well, according to Reid, are linebacker Dezman Moses (toe), linebacker James-Michael Johnson, who returns from injured reserve with a high ankle injury, and tight end Demetrius Harris.
Status quo on Smith extension
Quarterback Alex Smith publicly acknowledged his agent, Tom Condon, and the Chiefs have been in talks surrounding a contract extension.
However, Smith indicated he’s not involved with the discussion.
“My agent/representative handles all of that,” Smith said. “That is why you hire that guy, to take care of that so you can focus on football. It’s really not my place.”
